Rampage win fries Chops

His team, the Chops, came off a big win over Houston on Thursday night at the Toyota Center with a flatfooted effort against the non-playoff Rampage at the AT&T Center.

The result is most likely a seat on the AHL’s post season bench, as Iowa now trails fourth place Rockford by five points with three games left, including tonight’s return matchup against the Rampage.

It didn’t help that Friday’s game was Iowa’s third in four nights, but it also would have been nice if the team put forth some effort with the postseason on the line.

Then, with the game on the line, Iowa’s Adrian Veideman took a bad tripping penalty with 2:41 left in regulation, a time when the Chops needed all hands on deck, not one in the box.

Sorry to see Dineen’s team flame out on him. He’s one of hockey’s good guys, coaching here for two seasons before working with his brother in Portland (Me.) and now the head man in Des Moines.

RAMPAGE PLAYING GREAT DOWN THE STRETCH

Too bad the Rampage can’t get a mulligan for November. That 0-17-1 month ruined any chance of a post-season run, but looking at the numbers, San Antonio’s boys have the league’s sixth best record since December 1.

Lots of factors we will look at when the season ends next Sunday, but for now, after winning six of their last seven, the team has come together and are looking as if they can indeed pull even at .500 by winning out their last four games. Iowa will be back with a vengeance tonight, and then it’s three in three nights at Houston, here against the Aeros and then back again in Houston. Does someone in the league office have stock in the beef jerky places in Schulenberg?

“We’ve had a pretty good run here,” said Greg Ireland about his goaltending situation. “We’ve had Josh (Tordjman) play well, Monty (Al Montoya) jumps in and plays well, Karl (Goehring) jumps in and plays well (winning three straight in three nights last weekend) — Josh comes back, that’s a big boost for us. The best leader on your team is your goaltender.”

Montoya saw a chance to prove to himself and everyone else in the hockey where he belongs. Montoya has been brilliant in the desert, going 2-0 in his first two NHL starts, including a shutout in his debut Wednesday night. “We’re very proud of (preparing guys), because that’s our job down here,” said Ireland.

“Both our goaltenders (Josh and Al), put their nose to the grindstone, refocused, they spent some time with (former NHL goaltender Sean Burke), I think Sean did a good job helping them get on track, and I think what they said was, ‘hey, there’s lots of season left here, here’s an opportunity.’”

When Tordjman moved up when the Coyotes traded Mikail Tellqvist, it was Montoya’s chance to get in some consistant work. From Feb. 22 through Mar. 22, Montoya started nine games, winning four with two shootout losses, allowing 21 goals, only eight in his last four contests.

PERRAULT PLAYING WELL, I THOUGHT

I mentioned that Joel Perrault looked to be playing great and Ireland gave me the “pull the jacket over the ‘defensively-challenged’ hockey reporter’s head” deal and let me know he feels Perrault could be playing much better.

“If Joel wants to get back to the NHL, he has to manage the puck better (lessen turnovers),” said Ireland while just warming up on yours truly’s comments. “You can say he’s playing well, but I think he’s a better hockey player than he’s showing now.” Ouch. I should have used my “tiedown strap” before the interview.

That one landed square on the nose.

“I’ve challenged his leadership a little bit, I love Joel, I think he’s a great player. I’d love to see him manage the puck better and see him get a few more shots on net.”

Tough love from a coach who wants to see his star play better, while watching him score seven goals in seven games.

TORDJMAN PLAYING THROUGH THE PAIN

Rampage goaltender Josh Tordjman has a fractured thumb on his stick hand that is getting better every day, but still sore. It didn’t seem to affect him Friday night as he tied the franchise record for shutouts with 22 stops, and helped bury Iowa’s slim playoff hopes.

“We didn’t give them too much,” said Tordjman, 0-2 in his NHL starts against the Islanders and Devils in March. “Taking the lead in our arena helped us a lot as well. I didn’t have too much work, I didn’t see too many pucks, which from my perspective was very good.”

Iowa came to life in the second period, but Tordjman closed the door.

“They were tired coming out (in the first period) and they got a little more desperate, these guys are chasing a playoff spot.”

What keeps the Rampage winning and playing hard? According to Tordjman, there is still a lot on the line.

“Each and every guy in the lineup has something to play for. Next year, we’re battling each and every minute of every game.”

One of Tordjman’s favorite memories about life in the NHL?

Playing against fellow French-Canadian, Martin Brodeur. Although he lost to the Devils, 5-2 and didn’t get to sit and visit with his boyhood idol, the New Jersey future hall of famer did tap him on the pad during warmups and “that was fun,” said Tordjman with a huge grin remembering the moment. “I got more calls after that game than after my first one because of Brodeur.”